It ’s
October 24, 2011
ty cul a w Fage 3 e N P
Fa ll
Fall, 2011
Warning! Construction Zone In This Edition New Administrators and Teachers, Page 3 Moneyball Review, Page 3 PHS Boys Singers, Page 4 Along with “New Art Teacher”, Page 2 “Peer Mediation”, Page 5 The summer construction project created challenges for the PHS community. By CHARLES WEBER Over the summer, many schools throughout Portland underwent a great amount of construction. The impetus for this construction was a grant approved by the Portland City Council in 2010 of $11 million dollars for improvements to make
(Charles Weber) the city’s schools more energy efficient. About $2 million of that grant was spent over the summer to start improvements such as fixing and replacing windows and roofs at Peaks Island, Presumpscot, and Lyseth Elementary Schools and Deering and Portland High Schools. The improvements being made at Portland High School are the second most Please see CONSTRUCTION, page 2
“Redoing Recycling”, Page 6 “Back to Albania”, Page 7 Advice for Freshmen, Page 8 “Extraordinary Exchange Students”, Page 10 Portland High Actress Acy Jackson, Page 11 “Off to Israel”, Page 12
PHS Boys’ Soccer Back At It Last year’s Class A State Finalists are back on the pitch looking to make another deep playoff run.
The boys are ready to work hard (James McNeil)
By BRETT O’KELLY Portland High’s Boys’ Varsity Soccer team is once again in the mix of things as the regular season strides towards the finish, just one year after falling short of the program’s first ever state title. Despite graduating standout Fazal Nabi, now playing for Division 1 Providence College, and a core of solid players, the Bulldogs began this season looking to avenge a disappointing 3-2 loss to Bangor in the state finals. With an upsetting loss to Windham in
the opening game of the season, the boys have been on a roll not losing a game since, including a thrilling 3-2 overtime defeat over cross-town rival Cheverus High and a 1-0 home triumph over Marshwood in their 3rd annual Breast Cancer Awareness Match. “We are looking to end the regular season on a strong note, and go into the playoffs on a roll,” states longtime coach Rocco Frenzilli. Junior captain Tim Rovnak leads the offense, with strong support from seniors Alain Tuyishime, Paley Burlin and Ralph Hounche, along with sophomore Tony Please see SOCCER, page 3
!
PHS News
New Administrators Focus on Communication The two new administrators at PHS, Ms. Migneault and Ms. Marquis-Girard, were asked about their administrating philosophies. By KATE SUSLOVIC Ms. Migneault has spent the majority of her educational career as a social studies teacher with a great appreciation for the Please see ADMINISTRATORS, page 5
Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 2
New Art Teacher is Innovative
Ms. Loring creates a classroom environment like no other by utilizing technology and enthusiasm. By ELEANOR ALTHOLZ Ms. Babara Loring, who has been teaching art at Lyman Moore Middle School, is replacing Ms. TylerMillar who retired last spring. Ms. Loring has taught at Please see ART, page 4
Ms. Migneault is happy at her new position. (Charles Weber)
Ms. Loring is also happy at PHS. (Charles Weber)
CONSTRUCTION
was carefully chosen to completely meet historical requirements as the high school is a registered landmark in the city of Portland. Hopefully, the improvements will put an end to any leaky walls around the courtyard and also strengthen the entire infrastructure of the walls. Unfortunately, many teachers and students came into classrooms around the courtyard to begin the year and found their
continued from page 1
extensive in the district and total about $675,000. As Portland High is one of the oldest schools in the nation, it will frequently need a few repairs every now and then, but the ongoing construction project at the school right now is easily the most extensive project of this century. The main improvements at the school revolve around the construction being conducted in the courtyard between the middle wing of the school and the wing closest to the Elm Street Parking Garage. Students have been unable to enter the courtyard for the past several years because of the danger of bricks falling from the ancient faรงade surrounding the courtyard. The improvements hope to restore the deteriorating brick as well as, to completely demolish and recreate the connecting hallway between the two wings of the school nearest the courtyard. The construction plans were not known by students at the end of last year causing many to be surprised when they first saw the project underway as summer came to an end. Although the project was supposed to start in May, a delay in the new brick arriving caused the project to be suspended until late June. This new brick
Please see CONSTRUCTION, page 5
Without sunlight, how will we learn?!? (Charles Weber)
PHS News Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 3
SOCCER Yekah. While a senior led defense of captains Ben Day and Brett O’Kelly, along with Andrew Schwartz and Liam McNeil, looks to neutralize any offensive pressure that comes its way. The whole team has ad-
opted a “one game at a time” mentality, not looking over any opponent. Ben Day credits head coach Rocco Frenzilli for keeping the boys on task. “Coach Frenzilli has been telling us since day one, every team we face is going to give us its best, and they deserve to have us give them our best in return,” says Day. As the season slowly trickles to an end,
the boys are sure to create some buzz in the hallways of PHS. The team looks forward to the faculty, student and staff support as they push into the playoffs. Rovnak acknowledges the student body support. “We can’t wait to have the stands full of kids again. Last year’s cheering sections were “unreal”. The school may have a hard time beating it this year, but we have faith.”
Rovnak (14) and Burlin celebrate after the golden goal versus Cheverus. (PPH)
Goalie, Chip Weber, a junior, unleashes a massive punt. (James McNeil)
The boys used pink balls in the Breast Cancer Awareness Game. (McNeil)
continued from page 1
Moneyball Review Based on the book by Michael Lewis, Moneyball tells the story of Bill Beane and how he was able to transform the Oakland Athletics into a pennant contender.
(Sony Pictures)
By KRISTINA GLANVILLE Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, follows the story of revolutionizing the game of baseball through modernization. Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A’s, who is dealt a difficult blow when the A’s cannot afford to keep the team’s three stars because of a lack of sufficient funds. Beane, forced to find a way to reinvent his team with the money that he does have, joins forces with Peter Brand (Hill) to form an unlikely team. Together, they recruit for a bargain players who have been marked as “flawed,” yet are great players who are simply underestimated. The rest of the world of baseball doubts the theoretical methods used by Brand and Beane, who challenge the old school traditions of the American pastime. Beane is accused of ruining the true spirit of baseball, but when he becomes successful with his new methods, the traditions may be about to change. This film which quickly grabs the viewers’ attention is well written and acted. Pitt’s acting is near flawless as he portrays a man who is driven to win that final game of the season. While Beane is a laid-back character, Pitt also does a fantastic job delivering moments of sharp comedy. Jonah Hill adeptly plays off of Pitt to add his own comedic moments as well. In addition to comedic moments, the film has its fair share of heartwarming, family-oriented moments. The film is a triple play: it’s smart, funny, and touching. Much like baseball, it is sure to entertain.
PHS News
PHS Boys Singers Show Their Talent Mr. Thibault leads a group of about a dozen PHS boys from all different musical backgrounds to create sweet, sweet music.
By ELIANA FINBERG Those of us who know Mr. Thibault know that he loves to add music to his teaching. The boys in his French class always love to sing, and it finally spilled out into an all-male singing group.
Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 4 The Portland High School’s Boys’ Choir was officially started last year. While enthusiastically playing songs from their repertoire, Mr. Thibault raved about the boys’ talent and devotion towards singing. The choir meets every morning from 7:30 until the first bell rings, and Mr. Thibault says, “It makes us feel so good in the morning”. With so many activities offered in the mornings like Key Club and Executive Board, it is understandable that everyone cannot make it to choir every morning. There are 12 boys who come regularly, including Ben Knop (Freshman), Jake Morrow-Spitzer Please see SINGERS, page 6
ART continued from page 2
other schools in Maine. Ms. Loring is both an enthusiastic teacher and a successful artist in her own right. I asked her some questions about her teaching and artistic background and about her plans for the classroom in the upcoming year. Q: Why did you decide to become an art teacher? A: Creating art with expertise is empowering, and I believe in sharing empowerment. I find the creation of art to be marvelous, and coaching others to achieve self-possessed mastery, particularly meaningful. I believe I am fulfilling a very important, if not crucial, purpose. This goes for all my peers and colleagues in education. By investing in learning, we help to shape the future. Teaching is a most profound professional calling, to say the least. Q: Why did you decide to come teach at Portland High School? A: I have great regard for my recently retired Art colleagues, Ms.Tyler-Millar and Mr. Coburn, and I felt it would be an honor to do my best to carry on the tradition of their excellence at Portland High School. Q: How are you integrating technology into your classroom? A: As a middle school art teacher, I was immersed in the Maine Laptop Initiative (MLTI) Program. Maine led the nation in being the first state to establish a one-on-one technology program by pro-
Connor Bruce (‘15) works intently. (Charles Weber)
Ms. Loring’s art fundamentals class. (Charles Weber) viding laptops for middle school students in late 1999. Years later, I became inspired to attend the Apple Teacher Institute in the summer of 2009. Each participant received an iPad and an iPod Touch to use for the duration of the workshop, and we were instructed in techniques of integrating touch screen devices in the classroom. Not long after that, I attended a diverse conference in Portland, where educators from around the world met to present methods of using creative technology. There are visionary movements in Europe currently going on where students use phones and handheld devices to create artwork, then swap and collaborate, to name just a few new creative uses of technology. I recently began to expand the use of technology by bringing my iPad and iPod Touch into the classroom, in conjunction with an LCD projector and low glare whiteboard. iPads and other touchscreen devices are superb tools for illustration- one app can have the virtual tools equivalent of an entire art supply store. Q: Why do you believe in having technology be a part of class? A: Technology offers almost unlimited possibilities for gaining new dimensions on our lives, our worlds, and ourselves. It is re-defining how and what we communicate. Even the perception of education is changing. What once was a value on the amount of information an individual could remember and retrieve is now shifting to an emphasis on how much information a person can access and creatively use at any given moment. Ms. Loring is looking forward to a successful and fun first year at Portland High, and we will be seeing big changes in the art room over the coming months.
PHS News
Mediators Bring Peace “Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.”- Buddha By ALEX THOMPSON Interested in helping students at PHS with conflicts? If so, join peer mediation! Peer mediation is a group of PHS students who are trained to resolve conflicts between two students or a group of
ADMINISTRATORS continued from page 2
classroom. She then worked as an assistant principal focusing on curriculum and extra-curricular activities (similar to Mr. McCullum’s job at PHS). Her most recent position was as principal at a Dover, New Hampshire high school. When asked what her job entails she replied, “I’m in charge of the behind the scenes things, the things that need to be done.” She works with outside agencies, district administrative staff, and meets with parents and students. Ms. Migneault is also responsible for making sure the school follows district, state, and federal laws. “I should be out there to see what the instruction is, and the curriculum.” It is evident Ms. Migneault is a people person. In her approach to PHS, she stresses communication. “I’m not here to change everything because there’s a lot of good happening here. I want to get input on what worked and what isn’t working from students and teachers and then look for resolutions. I want to bring people together to talk.” She is also grateful for the people at PHS. She believes the school runs so well because of the people in it, and that the open climate is unique to Portland. She is also not afraid to ask for help. “I know Mr. Johnson was here for ten years. He’s a great guy. It’s hard shoes to fill.” She regularly communicates with Mr. Johnson, and cites him as a mentor.
Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 5 people. Some types of problems include rumors, gossip, cheating, stealing, bullying, and fighting. Peer mediation has been shown to be very effective throughout the United States. Students that are receiving peer mediation usually have an easier time solving their conflicts if they are working with a student and not an administrator. Peer mediators do not “make decisions,” but rather they work towards a win-win resolution for both sides in order to resolve further problems. Peer mediation meets every Friday morning at 7:30 in Alumni Hall. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Small, Ms. Mack or Alex Thompson.
CONSTRUCTION continued from page 2
windows to be boarded up with plywood completely blocking out any sunlight. The second and third floor hallways closest to Cumberland Avenue have become strangely reminiscent of the dreaded, dark, windowless hallways of Deering High. Without natural light in the classroom, students can often become inattentive in class and bored very quickly. The math teacher, Mr. Daniel Deniso, whose classroom is on the second floor in the Elm Street wing,
Ms. Marquis-Girard is looking forward to the little things at Please see ADMINISTRATORS, page 9
Ms. Marquis-Girard is adjusting to PHS. (Charles Weber)
Last year, students often could be seen passing through this now destroyed corridor. (Charles Weber)
PHS News
Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 6
Redoing Recycling The PHS Environmental Club is leading an effort to reduce the school’s waste by implementing a more efficient and effective recyling system. By JEREMY RAVENELLE Until this year, the Portland High School cafeteria generated the equivalent of 150 blue, City of Portland, filled trash bags weekly! Thanks to an innovative approach sponsored by the PHS Environmental Club, trash production at the school is reducing to an estimated amount of roughly 60 bags a week. This reduction is the equivalent of 50 families suddenly not making any trash at all! This year the PHS Environmental Club is implementing a recycling system with
A simple and easy-to-use system will greatly decrease the amount of waste PHS produces. (Charles Weber) the help and support of a group of parents lenges. Less waste also results in less trash and administrators known as the Waste being burned in the incinerator, reducReduction Group. The goal is to implement ing pollution and ash in the environment. similar programs in all Portland Public Recycling more materials means less new Schools. In addition, another waste reduc- aluminum, plastic, and paper production ing strategy being employed is the use of re- and processing, which saves trees, mining, cyclable paper trays in place of Styrofoam and oil. plates and plastic trays. There are many The innovative recycling system being benefits to waste reduction and recycling. used in the Portland High School cafeteria Savings on the cost of trash hauling, which to accomplish these benefits is comprised total over $140,000 a year for the district is of a set of bins to separate waste and send a big priority with our current budget chalPlease see RECYCLE, page 10
SINGERS continued from page 4
(Sophomore), Liam Brochu (Junior), Charles Weber (Junior), and Owen Carten (Senior). “No matter who comes in, we always have such a good blend. The students are really beyond their own realization in how talented they are,” Mr. Thibualt says with much adoration. “Music is communication, and as a teacher, it’s something I’m always trying to teach to students.”
To choose their music, Mr. Thibault considers songs that other men’s choirs perform; they look towards groups like the Beelzebubs for their inspiration. “Glee” also plays a role in getting people interested because as Mr. Thibault shares, “With Glee, everyone wants to sing!” Men’s choirs have become very popular in high schools and colleges around the country, so PHS has started up its own. The boys’ choir was invited to sing as part of the school music concert along with band, chorus, and orchestra, and will also be singing at the pep rally at the end of Spirit Week. Boy’s Choir is a great opportunity for any boy who is interested in music and wants to have his voice heard.
The group, from left, Liam Brochu, Spencer Cohen, Ben Hagelin, Will Chapman, Jake Morrow-Spitzer, Owen Carten, Chip Weber, Evan Peaco, and Mr. Thibault, performs the national anthem to open the 2011 PHS Talent Show. (William Weber)
PHS News
Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 7
Back to Albania
PHS student Margaret Adham had the chance to travel back to her birthplace in Albania over the summer.
By MARGARET ADHAM This summer I had the great pleasure of experiencing a trip to my motherland, the small but great country of Albania. I spent about a month there with my mom and my eleven-year-old sister Emily. My sister and I were born here in Portland, but
my parents and nearly all the rest of my family were born and still live in Albania. It’s a little country, not even as big as the state of Maine, and is bordered by Greece, Macedonia, and Serbia to the east and north and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. My parents left for the US in 1995 and haven’t gone back until now. Our flight finally touched down in Tiranë, Albania’s capital. We left for Korçë, my parent’s hometown, the second morn-
ing. It was a four-hour drive, but the view out my window was fantastic. The road was flat until we left the city, and then we hit the mountains. I could just not stop staring out at everything. I had never seen that many huge mountains all together! Every night we went out for a walk around the town. The layout and architecture of buildings in Albania is radically different from that of the US. The houses are all close together, so close they’re practically attached, which most of them actually are. One night we went to a soccer game, but Please see ALBANIA, page 8
Panoramic view of Tirana from Mount Dajt. (Wikipedia)
Be Prepared for Snow Cancellations
Snow has already found its way to Portland in October. Be prepared for more!
Winter weather is on the way, and now is the time to prepare for snow days. The Portland Public Schools close when it is unsafe for children to get to school due to the conditions of roads and sidewalks. School closing decisions generally are made by 5:30 a.m. They are announced on the school district’s website (www.portlandschools.org), Facebook page (Portland ME Public Schools) and on local radio and television stations, including TV3.
If schools are closed for the day, extracurricular activities usually are cancelled, too. However, Portland Recreation may open a snow camp for participants of their before- and after-school program. Please call the Recreation Information Hotline at 756-8130 for updates. Every family needs a back-up plan for snow days. Please arrange for a neighbor, family member, friend or child-care provider to care for your child. Be sure that your child’s school has a current phone number to reach you in case of emergency. For more information about snow cancellations, visit www.portlandschools.org.
Another cold and snowy winter is predicted for a large part of the country, thanks in large part to La Niña. (Tim Weber)
PHS News
Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 8
Dear Freshmen, Freshman year is a make-or-break year for most students at PHS so it would be wise to heed the advice of your veteran upperclassmen. By NATALIE ANDERSON We have all gone through it; freshman year. Though it may seem daunting to all of those incoming freshmen, the upperclassmen are proof that you will be able to live through it. Granted, all of the changes seem overwhelming. You have new friends
to make, a whole new school to navigate, and new teachers with new standards. How is it possible to survive? Well, just ask your older peers; after all we know best! After asking several PHS students, from a range of grades, what advice they would give to freshmen, they gave several different answers. The most common recommendations revolved around schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and friends. Since high school is after all a school, many students stressed how important it is to keep up with school work. Katie Rutherford, a sophomore, said, “Focus on
ALBANIA
study habits since that’s the most important thing in the long run”. Academically, freshman year is very important. If a student doesn’t earn good grades freshman year, it is difficult to bring up your grade point average. Freshman year is the year to set standards for your self academically. Coming to a new school with significantly higher standards of work can be intimidating to freshmen. But the worst thing you can do for yourself is not reach out if you fall behind. Bounahra Kim, a senior, says, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help”. Every teacher at Please see FROSH, page 11
CONSTRUCTION
continued from page 7
continued from page 5
not just any old soccer game. This was the Albanian Super Cup, which was the winner-take-all match between the champions of the two soccer leagues in Albania. The teams happened to be those of Tiranë and Korçë. Albania is crazy about soccer. The game was scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm, but it was delayed to almost 9:15 PM because of riots. It started all right, but there was some commotion when a whole herd of Tirana supporters arrived that weren’t allowed to sit in their purchased seats for safety reasons. The policemen were afraid they would break out into fights! Tirana supporters refused to change their seats, and so were kept out of the stadium altogether. Fifteen minutes into play time, the authorities let them in. What an awful decision. Five minutes after they settled in, they pulled out even bigger and brighter sparklers than the others, and started throwing them at the Skendërbeu supporters and onto the
thrilling topic like calculus, the dark room, “changes the atmosphere. It really starts to wear on you,” says Mr. Deniso. At the beginning of the year, before there were any construction restrictions, students’ classes could annoyingly be interrupted by the sound of a jackhammer chiseling away or a power saw slicing through brick. Principal Deborah Migneault, dealing with this construction problem during her first year on the job, quickly placed restrictions forcing loud and disruptive construction to only occur before or after school and occasionally in between classes. The construction not only has disrupted learning, but also has proposed a health concern to many students and faculty members. As construction workers drilled away in the hot summer months and the classrooms of the school were left vacant, a great amount of dust gathered within classrooms through tiny cracks between the old windows of the school. Even the newly overhauled
A beautiful pasture in the heart of Albania (Wikipedia)
The hallways of PHS have become dark and dreary with the ongoing construction (Charles Weber)
Please see ALBANIA, page 9
Please see CONSTRUCTION, page 9
PHS News
CONSTRUCTION
Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 9
ADMINISTRATORS
continued from page 8
continued from page 5
ventilation in the school initially had problems with the dust. Fortunately, most of the dust was cleaned up by the hard-working janitorial staff before anyone had anyone had any asthmatic reactions or any science experiments in the science wing of the school could be contaminated. Since mid-September, the windows that had been previously solely boarded with plywood, now are covered and sealed with plastic hoping to completely eliminate any dust problems. These airtight seals have created a stifling environment in many classrooms. Hopefully, the cooler months of the year that are quickly approaching will improve ventilation in the school. The elimination of the hallway connecting the auditorium and the back of the main office (some call the courtyard connector) has also added a congestion problem to the school’s hallways. Fearful freshmen have only been more intimidated by the hordes of students that collect in the hallways between classes. Students looking to travel from anywhere in the school to the auditorium or vice versa better plan accordingly because it takes much more time to trek across school with the loss of the courtyard connector. Thankfully, all these problems will be put to an end when the project is finished at its projected end date in mid-November. No more dust will be congesting the airways, and students will be able to freely pass through the courtyard connector which is supposed to look exactly like the old one. When asked about the future of the courtyard, Ms. Migneault says she, “ultimately sees the area as a place for picnic tables where students can eat lunch.” The school environmental club also hopes to keep the area clean and green with many plants and trees. Although this project has caused many challenges, in the end, it will save the school money, keep the school warmer during the winter, and continue the building’s tradition as one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Anyone looking to learn more about the construction project can contact the project manager for the Portland Public Buildings Division, Aaron Shields, at ads@portlandmaine.gov.
PHS. “I’m looking forward to the day where I know all the staff by name, I know what they teach, I get to know more students, I walk the hallway and put names to faces, and when I’m talking with someone, I can understand their experience and help them.” She comes to Portland High School from her position as assistant principal at Lyman Moore Middle School, so she is not unfamiliar to some Portland High students. Before her start at Lyman Moore she was the Principal of Freeport Middle School and spent time at PATHS working with vocational students. Her main focus at PHS is to work with the at-risk/drop population. She’s currently looking at data to try and learn how to support kids at PHS, with a emphasis on improving the dropout rate. When asked what her solution to the drop out problem would be, she referenced the transition from 8th to 9th grade, and the difficulty some kids have in navigating the high school environment. “Oftentimes it’s the small things that make the difference whether kids decide to continue school or not.” Ms. Marquis-Gerard wants to make sure there are support programs in place. “Talking to kids is huge.”
Only time will tell when the massive amount of construction is finally done. (Charles Weber)
ALBANIA continued from page 8
field in the middle of play. People had rocks in their hands, water bottles, anything they could find, and were pelting each other and the opposite team’s players. Tirana’s players became pretty riled up about it. Some of them even had to be personally dragged away from the riotous crowd by Skendërbeu’s players. Tirana scored the only goal of the game in the last twenty minutes. Both teams looked pretty rattled from the earlier incidents, not to mention the refereeing. It was disappointing, considering this was only the second time Skendërbeu had made it to the final, but even though we had a terrible loss, it was an… interesting experience and a great rest of the day. Arriving in Korça was one of the most long awaited moments of my life because I was able to meet all of my immediate family. My four aunts and uncles all live there, with my eight-year-old twin cousins Anela and Elio, my 22-year-old cousin Andi, and my eight and 14-year-old cousins Tomi and Dhimitri. Andi’s brother Stavri, and the twins’ older brother and sister, Koço and Eftiola who live in Rome. For the month of August we were all together for the first time.
PHS News
Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 10
Extraordinary Exchange Students Portland High is graced by the prescence of exchange students Marlene Schaper and Carmen Clavero Fernández. By JULIA CONLEY This year, Portland High School received two foreign exchange students. Both girls are living with PHS students’ and their families and are very excited to be in Portland. Marlene Schaper, from Hamburg, Germany, is a senior at PHS and is living with Becky Scott (freshman) and her family. Marlene has been in the US for a month and really likes Portland. She is excited to be assigned a locker since in Germany lockers are only in movies. She hopes to visit New York City while here. Marlene has been learning English since 3rd grade and wanted to experience the United States. So far, she does not think things are too different from her home, except everything is much bigger, especially the food! Some of her favorite things to do are the same as teens here, for example hanging out with friends, but Marlene also likes yoga and sailing. Her favorite classes at PHS are ASL, which she finds very interesting and Modern History with Mr. Crabtree. While Marlene is enjoying her experiences here at Portland High School, she misses her family and friends, but most of all her favorite German food, wiener schnitzel. Carmen Clavero Fernández is from
RECYLE continued from page 6
it somewhere other than the incinerator. The bins are set up as an assembly line, in a special order: A bucket to pour out leftover milk or other drinks, a large blue bin for recyclables, a bin for returnables, a trash can, a bin for food waste, and a small blue bin on a desk for trays. For the most part, students have been supportive of taking the time to separate their trash. Ben Knop, a freshman, said, “It definitely is a bit more complicated to throw away your garbage, but I guess it’s worth it to help save the environment.” The recycling bin may take all plastic, aluminum, cardboard, and paper,
Santiago de Compostela, which is in Galicia in northwestern Spain. She is a junior just like her host sister, Abby Popenoe. In Spain, Carmen likes to play volleyball, hang out with friends and go kayaking in a river near her home. She was excited for PHS Homecoming since they do not have it in Spain, and she hopes to travel to Boston, New York, and possibly California while living here. She finds the city of Portland similar to her hometown, but she finds
PHS to be very different from her school in Spain, mostly because our school is much bigger than her old school (which only had 300 students). Carmen is currently participating in Cross-Country and Photography Club. She plans on joining Nordic Skiing and Tennis in the spring. Carmen believes PHS to be very friendly, and she did not expect it to be such an easy transition. She is already noticing how much easier it is to speak English.
Marlene
Carmen
including paper plates, which make up so much of our trash now that Styrofoam is obsolete. The food waste bin is an exciting new part to the system. Resurgam Zero Food Waste is a new commercial composting company based at Riverside Recycling Venter. The company comes to the school for free and picks up our leftover food to turn into soil. The paperboard 5-compartment trays also go to this company. Here at PHS, the greatest challenge has been educating students on how to use the system. To accomplish this goal, three environmental club students developed a PowerPoint presentation and presented it at the beginning of the year assemblies. This presentation is also available on the Portland High School website “phsbulldogs.org”. Principal Migneault is very appreciative of
the club’s help with education. “I am really very happy with how the Portland High Students have taken this on,” she said. “I want to emphasize how important the Environmental Club’s efforts were in starting the pilot off well by making the other students enthusiastic about the program.” Librarian Ms. Nick supports the efforts of the PHS Environmental Club to educate the staff and student body of Portland High School about the power to change the environment for the better through simple, but effective changes, “I think it was long overdue. Students have been recognizing for years that our food service program is wasteful, and now you are doing something about it.”
PHS News
Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 11
Acy Jackson: Current Roles and Future Plans
Acy Jackson is one of Portland High’s most prominent actresses.
By OLIVIA WARNER On February 20th 1995, in the great city of Raleigh, North Carolina, a star was born! Her name is Acy Jackson. She is currently a sophomore at Portland High School and has been acting since her kindergarten years. The first show Acy starred in was Sword in the Stone, and she won the marvelous role of King Arthur. Through the years, she continued playing in school
FROSH
continued from page 8
Portland High is willing to give help; you just need to learn how to take advantage of those opportunities. Many came to the conclusion that, obviously, schoolwork should be a priority in school. But students cannot forget that school is made up of so much more than just classes. Portland High has so much more to offer, and freshman should always be on the lookout for those prospects that could significantly enhance the high school experience. Ella Purington, a junior, advises to “look into each opportunity”. Who knows, you could meet your best friend on the soccer team, debate team, or executive board. It is in the freshmen’s best interest to try new things. The best way to make a new connection with someone or find a new passion is to get involved in extracurricular activities. Barry Quinn, a senior, tells freshmen, “to involve yourself in as much as you can”. Portland High has many clubs, sports, and activities, and freshman should really take advantage of all of them. Portland High also has a unique opportunity that not all schools can offer, as a junior or senior, a student may opt to take classes at PATHS. PATHS offers alternative ways to learn. Students can become educated in a profession. It allows more hands on learning, rather than the classic
theatricals, including Honk, Katastrophe Kate, Mousetrap, Hitchhiker, and Hamlet. Acy credits Karen Cabot, Sally Wood, Mike Levine, and Bess Welden for influencing her and for instilling in her a love of Shakespeare. She has been involved in Romeo and Juliet with the Young Actors Shakespeare Conservatory and has played the parts of the Nurse, Tybalt, and Lord Montague. Currently, Acy is working on the Shakespeare masterpiece Macbeth. She says, “It’s nice to work and watch the Please see ACTRESS, page 12
Jackson (left) is a woman of many roles
education. Keanan Fox, a senior, advises freshmen to “Go to PATHS”. Freshman year is all about making new friends. All the different middle schools come together to create a unique class. There are so many new faces to see, and it is a great opportunity to expand your social circle. Freshmen should reach out to people they don’t know. Be as friendly as possible and people will be friendly back. It is important to remember that all freshmen feel
overwhelmed with making new friends. Hannah Chambers, a senior, reminds freshman “Not to worry about not knowing kids in your classes or at lunch, that’s the best way to make new friends”. But on the other side of the spectrum is to not stress too much over your social life. It is a waste of time to agonize over your social status. Nyador Nguany, a senior, says, “ It’s not about how many friends you have, or how many plans you have on Friday night, it’s only freshman year”. This year is a great time to make connections to new people, but it is useless to over analyze the social structure that is high school. Freshman year is confusing and stressful. It’s a huge adjustment period from middle school. But just remember that the best thing you can do as a freshman is to be open to new opportunities, people and work habits. Freshmen can see from the advice of the upper classmen that there are many different ways to approach high school. Hannah Chambers sums it up best when she says, “Create a balance! There is always a way to stay involved, keep up your grades, and still have a social life. We all have our individual high school plan that we make for ourselves, and the sooner you find out what works for you (study habits, involvement ) the more successful you’ll be”. The general consensus is that there is no wrong way to “do” freshman year. Find what makes you happy and stick with it. After all, it’s just high school.
If an innocent freshman like this one, Barry Quinn, made it to his senior year, so can you!
PHS News
Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 12
Off to Israel
Over the summer, Jacob Fogel was given the opportunity to attend school in Israel and he took it. By ELIANA FINBERG Jacob Fogel, a PHS sophomore, was accepted to a three-year scholarship program at Mosenson Elite Academy in Israel. Fogel said, “I’ve been interested in doing school abroad since I was little. I love learning new languages and being around new cultures.” When visiting friends in Israel last April, he mentioned to one of them that he wanted to come back for the rest of high school. His friend told him about a program that brings students from all over the world to go to school in Israel for free, and this really piqued his interest. “The Elite Academy Program [at Mosenson] is a lifechanging, three-year scholarship in Israel program co-funded by the State of Israel and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Students complete grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 in Israel. Our unique, fully-subsidized program helps students integrate into the Israel school system and is bolstered by a strong support network, including both formal and in-formal educational teams”, states the school’s website. After figuring out all the details and convincing his parents, Jacob started the application process. He was very excited to find out that he had been accepted into the program. Mosenson also gives students a full benefits program including full tuition, room and board, and
medical insurance. Happy to be in Israel and at Mosenson, Jacob jokes, “The food is… ok. Not anything gourmet but not anything less than the cafe at PHS.” To help students fully immerse themselves in Israeli culture, classes are taught in Hebrew. “Classes are about the same level of difficulty as at PHS, but there is an added challenge because most of them are taught in Hebrew. For the kids who don’t know the language already like me, it’s really hard”, admits Jacob. The first year of classes has students learning a new language as well as taking courses, and, therefor, students are not expected to focus on certain subjects. During the second and third years there are options, such as focusing on social sciences or engineering, just like any other high school. The social aspect of high school can be just as important in the role of lessons learned, and Jacob says that it’s truly amazing to have such a tight group of friends on whom to rely. The students are with each other 24 hours a day, 6 days of the week. “I’m living with around 30 other kids, boys and girls, from all over the world and taking all of my classes with them. Even though it’s only been four weeks, our group has become sort of like a little family. We try to take care of each other and be there for each other since we’re all so far away from home.” Sometimes the program takes the students on trips. “Two weeks ago we went to the Golan Heights near Syria to do some hiking and rafting in the Jordan River. We were there for two days, and it was a really awesome experience,” said Fogel. When asked about being away from Please see FOGEL, page 13
Panorama of the Golan Heights, with the Hermon mountains (left). (Wikipedia)
ACTRESS continued from page 11
professional actors “do their stuff”, and it’s not too different from other, good, productions I’ve been in.” Acy also loves that the actors in Macbeth are fun to watch and that they are more dedicated and thoughtful of the overall show. Acy was chosen for the part of Donalbain, in Macbeth, when the director saw her stellar performance in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the Freeport Shakespeare Festival. On the topic of balancing school responsibilities and the work of theatrical productions, Acy explains that she’s learned that as soon as Please see ACTRESS, page 13
An intense duel breaks out during Romeo and Juliet.
PHS News
Bulldog Edition, Fall 2011, Page 13
ACTRESS continued from page 12
she gets home she has to do her homework. She cannot procrastinate ; she just has to do it. Acy says she acts because acting is truly what she loves. She says that it’s how she expresses herself, and that she is a more extroverted person. Acy confides, “expression of artistry is something I need.” She loves that she can be someone else for a few hours and loves showing that person off. Acy aspires to be a part of the professional theater scene right here in Portland. She wants to excel in the Shakespearean language, and she wants to perform in something big and important. Macbeth goes up the second to the last week of October at the Freeport Factory Stage. The show will run until the first weekend in November. Jackson (right) also has a fair amount of emotional roles. (All photos accompanying story provided by Acy Jackson)
FOGEL continued from page 12
home, Jacob said, “I miss my friends at home so much. I wish all of them could have come here with me, but I knew when I applied for the program that I was going to have to sacrifice some things in order to go. Everyone’s been really supportive, and I am able to keep in touch with them when I have time.” Vacations have Jacob coming home to Maine about three times a year and again for all of summer break, but he’s happy to be in Israel for the rest of the year.
Questions? Comments? Want to Write? Email: pendla@portlandschools.org or cweb512512@gmail.com Editors-in-Chief - Eleanor Altholz, Eliana Finberg & Charles Weber Staff Writers - Margaret Adham, Eleanor Altholz, Natalie Anderson, Julia Conley, Eliana Finberg, Kristina Glanville, Brett O’Kelly, Jeremy Ravenelle, Kate Suslovic, Alex Thompson, Olivia Warner & Charles Weber Staff Photographers - Acy Jackson, Quinn Lavigne, James McNeil, Charles Weber, Tim Weber & William Weber Graphics/Layout - Charles Weber Advisors - Amanda Pendleton and Maryann Pendleton
The Banyas Waterfall in the Golan Heights. (Wikipedia)
On behalf of the entire staff, thank you for reading this issue of the Bulldog Edition